READ: Forensic Scientist Responsibilities

Read: Forensic Scientist Responsibilities

Forensic Scientist Responsibilities

Forensic Science is a diverse field which encompasses many areas of specialty.  Whether working in the field to collect evidence at a crime scene, in a lab to analyze blood samples or even digging up skeletal remains, Forensic Scientists definitely have unique careers!  The focus of Forensic Science is essentially to recognize, gather and analyze evidence from a perceived crime scene for use in criminal case in a court of law.  Because the areas of specialty within Forensic Science are so different, let's look at the general requirements for a career in Forensic Science:

Testifying as an Expert Witness at a Trial

An expert witness in a trial serves as an interpreter of the evidence to the judge or jury. They explain not only the scientific findings, but also how those findings may apply to the question of guilt or responsibility. An expert witness has the burden of explaining difficult concepts to a judge or jury when those concepts are complex or not immediately clear. They also serve as a professional opinion as to what conclusions may be drawn from the given evidence. For example, an expert witness may be asked if the particular item of evidence implicates guilt, they may be asked to explain any conflicts in the data results or explain the relevancy of the evidence to the case. When testifying in court as an expert witness, one must speak carefully using only statements that are supported by the facts and evidence of the case. Professional judgement is expected of the expert witness, but it should always be based on facts that are supported by multiple facets of the evidence and investigation. Because testifying in court is a common occurrence in a career in Forensic Science, all who consider becoming a Forensic Scientist should have strong public speaking skills.

Georgia Virtual, Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminal Justice, CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

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